Carly Rae Jepsen Shares Her Summer Playlist

This week, Carly Rae Jepsen played a M&M's Spotlight pop-up concert in Chicago. Lucky fans grabbed tickets online, but if you weren't in the Windy City, don't worry. We have the next best thing—the "Cut to the Feeling" singer got on the phone with us to share her summer playlist picks (which is apt, because she's on ours) and talk about what she's up to, including her upcoming film Leap.

Are you in the studio these days?

I am yeah! I kind of live there actually, but in different places. I did a lot of writing for this upcoming album in Stockholm, because I've met a lot of writers there that I love and collaborate well with. And then again, in L.A. there's a great community of people. So it's kind of fun to be experimenting—I'm about 50 songs deep and figuring out what I wanna do. And part of the reason why I think [the M&M's Spotlight] show is pretty special is we haven't been doing a ton of gigs. This is such an intimate setting here at Chop Shop.

You've already written 50 songs? Didn't you write something like 250 songs for your album 'Emotion'?

Yeah…I went a little insane with it. [laughs] I think songwriting is probably a lot more simple than you think. I think that anyone really can write songs, it just takes having an idea and a feeling and chasing it, and you can learn more about it. I think that's why I go to so many sessions. It is a craft that you can learn from other people. I find it to be the most fascinating thing. So I write a lot, yeah!

Carly Rae Jepsen performs at the M&M's Spotlight concert

Mars

You're playing Odettte in your forthcoming movie, 'Leap.' Can you tell us a little bit about her?

Yeah! Odette is an ex-ballerina who's been injured, and she takes on the role of really wanting to help this younger, new ballerina who has this big dream and this big passion. She sort of recognizes that and really tries to lead her in the right direction.

Alright, are you ready for a summer-song speed round? Can you tell us what you're listening to right now?

I've got a playlist called China and On that I'm looking up right now to tell you.

What's behind the name of that playlist?

It was all the songs that I was listening to from China and my trip and on...it's not a very inventive name! What do I have? There's a song called "Lying Has to Stop" by Soft Hair, there's a tune called "Paul" by Big Thief and there's another tune I really love called "Girl" by The Internet.

What's the song that makes you feel the most spontaneous?

When I was in Spain, I really got into this band called Bomba Estereo, because it was really fitting for driving in the countryside. They have a song called "To My Love" that, whenever I put it on, I dance like a crazy person and feel like I can conquer the world.

What's your favorite song to watch the sun go down to?

Oh! She's French, and 'Leap' is set in Paris—do you have another favorite French song?

So many! Okay, there's one called "7AM," and it's this old song by Jacqueline Taieb.

What's a song you like to listen to to cheer you up?

I don't know! I mostly listen to pretty dark music, I think! I don't really write dark music all the time, but all of my favorites are more like, "This is my favorite drinking wine and crying song." I've got a happy one, "Trustful Hands" by The Dø is really good.

Wait, so do you have a "crying and drinking wine" song?

What's a song that makes you feel confident?

I think anything off the Charli XCX mixtape that she put out was really really good. "White Roses" is incredible. The lyrics aren't necessarily a fit for what you're talking about, but when you put it on, you just feel powerful. I think that's one of the great things that Charli does with all of her tunes.

What's your favorite throwback summer song from when you were growing up?

Probably "One Headlight" by The Wallflowers. I remember doing dances to it with my elementary school girlfriends.

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